Meredith Schmehl, Neuroscientist and Science Communicator

A Voice for Science

Policy expert and PR manager Meredith Schmehl (DC 2018; MCS 2018) is interested in both great science and exceptional communication.

“I really think about myself as a connection builder between science and society,” she says. “Everything I do tries to bridge a gap and make policies more equitable and accessible when science is involved.”

Named as one of Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, Meredith recently finished a Ph.D. in neurobiology with research into vision and hearing at Duke University, building on dual Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate degrees in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. She’s also the public relations manager at the National Science Policy Network, focusing on content creation that connects other early-career scientists with resources to drive change. Her advocacy work also includes public speaking, podcasting, writing award-winning pieces for Scientific American and Massive Science, and training scientists to connect with the public through ComSciCon.

All of this is building to her main goal: creating opportunities for scientists through policy or communication and opening doors for people who work in that capacity.

“I think it's really important not to keep research and science and the benefits of science siloed but expand them, so everyone can benefit,” Meredith says. “That means telling people about the science that we do, using science to make better decisions, making scientific spaces more equitable and accessible, and ultimately making the world better through good decisions and science.”

Story by Elizabeth Speed